The spotters' club

摘要

The rail experts achieved at least one important goal at their latest meeting, putting into place provisions drawn up by a technical working group and deciding that the group should have an ongoing role. The RID Committee of Experts held its 41st session this past November 15 to 17 in Meinin-gen, Germany under the chairmanship of Helmut Rein (Germany) and with Wieger Visser sitting as vice-chairman. Representatives of 15 of the 42 member states attended, along with others from various trade associations. Whereas issues relating to the classification and packaging of dangerous goods that are of common interest to the rail and road modes are discussed at the joint RID/ADR meetings (see next month's issue), the RID experts concern themselves primarily with matters relating to the rail infrastructure and rolling stock insofar as these impact the safety (and, increasingly, security) of dangerous goods in transport. These technical discussions may result in changes to the RID Regulations, which govern the transport of dangerous goods by rail in Europe, the next edition of which is due to enter into force on January 1, 2007.